I promised pics...

...and here they are! My first saddle, one made under the watchful eye of master saddle maker Dale Moore, was on a 15 1/2 inch Association tree. It features a 3/4 padded seat, Cheyenne roll, and an arrow-basket stamp design throughout the saddle. "Lambert" (named for the customer who ordered it) took just over a week and a half to build. I am definitely excited to be a saddle-maker!

Me and "Lambert"

"Cliff" and "Lambert"

I also helped build a Wade tree saddle that is waiting in Dale's saddle shop for someone to buy it. It has a rough-out seat with a beautiful padded inlay!

Anyhow, I'd better hit the hay so I can get back to work bright and early in the morning. I'm already working on my next saddle, so expect new pics sometime soon.

Adios and happy trails...

David

Hebrews 12:2

Saddle School Week 2

Howdy Y'all!

Ok, so I haven't posted as much as I thought I would. Class runs from 8-4 every day, and then I end up working here in the shop with the other guys in class until it's time to go to bed. No complaints though... on the contrary, I'm really having a great time and learning more than I thought possible in the short amount of time I've been here.

Dale Moore, our instructor, is a retired teacher and principal. He is a great guy! He is super knowledgeable about saddles, horses, packing & outfitting, as he grew up with horses and has been riding all of his life. I couldn't imagine learning from a better person.

We are in two teams to two working on "demo" saddle for Dale's shop. The saddle Stu and I are working on... well, perhaps I should introduce my classmates first: Stu is our resident Canadian. He was on the ark with Noah (really he's in his 50's). Doug is the closest to being a local-yokal. He lives in Idaho just a couple of hours away. Shawn came the furthest to be here. He is from Mississippi. Both Doug and Shawn are military... Doug is recently retired and Shawn just got out.

Anyhow, our saddle is already sold so it's been a bit stressful at times knowing we are making a product someone has already partially paid for! So far so good. We should be done by Saturday, and then I'll post some pics. On Monday we start our own saddles and tack!

Anyhow, God Bless to all of y'all. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, and if any of you want a custom hand-made saddle I'll be up and running sometime next month! Adios for now...

David

Col 1:1-12

Welcom to the New Year

Wow... time really does fly. I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. I didn't even get around to doing a Merry Christmas post. Soooo.... Merry Christmas! May the blessings of Jesus Christ abound with you and yours this coming year and for all eternity :)

Christmas really was a busy time at our household. We went to Colorado to spend 10 days with my family in the San Luis Valley. It was a lot of fun. The boys got to go on their first sledding excursion! On Christmas day we were back in Kansas and spent time with Jess's folks. It was a wonderful time with family.

The holiday season was a whirlwind, but it was a lot of fun and very rewarding. God has been so good to us, and now He has enabled me to embark on a new and exciting adventure. I am currently in a motel room in Sheridan, WY (where it is -5 outside) getting ready to start up the truck and head on to Belgrade, MT. I know you are wondering why in the world I would be going to Belgrade, MT... without my family... for 5 weeks... in the middle of winter (that's a whole lot of wondering, by the way).

It just so happens that I am attending Dale Moore's Montana Horseman Saddle Building School. Some of you know that I have been into leather working for quite a while now, and it just seemed like the time was right to take it a step further and get into the business. When I return I will be opening a saddle shop in Fredonia, KS.  Jess and I are both excited for this awesome opportunity. Actually, JP may be more excited than both of us. I have already been instructed to send pictures of my teachers, new friends, and all the saddles. He also says that when I get home he will be going to his very own saddle school. :) I am so lucky to have such a great family to love and cherish. 

In the coming days (I have evenings free) I will update y'all on what's going on with the school, as well as future plans that the Lord has blessed me and my family with. I know I will post at least once a week, and perhaps more depending on the time...

For now, Merry Christmas (again... can't say it enough) and Happy New Year. May your days be filled with blessing and the hope of Jesus Christ!

Adios and Happy Trails...
~David

Ephesians 1:3-12